SCENE OF MAJOR LAING'S MURDER. 
97 
accompanied me sheM^ed me the spot where Major Laing 
was murdered. I there observed the site of a camp. I 
averted my eyes from this scene of horror, and secretly 
dropped a tear — the only tribute of regret I could render to 
the ill-fated traveller, to whose memory no monument will 
ever be reared on the spot where he perished. 
Several Moors of our caravan, who had witnessed the 
fatal event, told me that the major had but little property 
with him when he was stopped by the chief of the Zawats, 
and that he had offered five hundred piastres to a Moor to 
conduct him to Souyerah (Mogador). This the Moor re- 
fused to do, for what reason I was not informed, and I 
dared not inquire. They also spoke of the sextant, which I 
have mentioned above. 
Having pitched our tents near some water, we could 
drink as much as we pleased. Rice was boiled for our 
dinner and we were somewhat indemnified for the privations 
we had undergone in the preceding days. At six in the 
evening we proceeded northwards over a very level sjindy 
soil, on which were scattered a few solitary patches of ve- 
getation. Though the sand has a tolerable consistency, 
yet not a tree was to be seen. Towards nine in the evening, 
we arrived at El-Aravvan, another commercial entrepot. We 
encamped outside the city, and in the neighbourhood I ob- 
served several tents and camels, which I was told belonged to 
the caravan, waiting for the signal for departure. Our ar- 
rival was greeted by the howling of dogs, a circumstance 
which reminded me that I had seen none of those animals at 
Timbuctoo. 
Being unaccustomed to riding on camels, I found myself 
extremely fatigued by the journey. The moment we stop- 
ped, 1 spread my wrapper upon the sand, and fell into a 
profound sleep. I did not find the heat so oppressive as 
it had been on the preceding days. 1 was roused to par- 
take of an excellent couscous brought from the city. 
VOL II, H 
